I have been looking at this board for a few weeks and thinking I could ask a question and get some good info, so here goes...be easy on me!

I am a 42 y/o hetero male-never had anything but vaginal sex and occasional oral. ALL of my vaginal sex since I am about 28 or so has been protected by a latex condom, and I have never (99.99999999% sure) had a break or had one slip off. I have never shot drugs ( am anti-drug) and never been with a man. The tip of my urethra has always been covered ( if I understand this thing, the virus needs to have access to blood) I have been with a fair number of women ( yes, some girlfiends, some escorts). In a moment of feeling really silly, I actually wrote down all of the women I have been with ( about 53 the last 12 years) and realized that most of them were one time only and protected vaginal sex. I have always been the insertive partner. I am also circumsized.

So, I have talked to my doctor and he says that it I don't need testing and that I am fine, but for some reason lately I have just begun to obsess and worry that I am infected. Now I am paralyzed with fear and TOTALLY scared about taking a test. I have read and analyzed everything I could get my hands on and called the AIDS hotline about a zillion times. They think I am fine. I am just way past anything normal when it somes to obsessing-

CMan-While it does sound like you have been very safe, the only way to know your HIV status is to be tested three months after your last possible exposure. The CDC Hotline is good for information and assessing risk, but they are not medically trained. It's good that your doctor feels that you're fine, but you still have trouble believing that so why not just get tested and put any doubt or questions you may have to rest? You have always had protected sex so you really shouldn't as worried as you seem to be.

The testing process can be stressful, but you can always post here. We will all try to help you through this as best as we can. I really think testing will allow you to move past this point and help with the obsessing.

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